Notes: Mills keeps his focus on field amidst team sale talk

When Astros owner Drayton McLane put the team up for sale in November, manager Brad Mills went about his business as usual, burying himself in his work.

With McLane confirming Friday that he has an agreement to sell the team to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane that should become final next week, Mills sees no reason to alter his outlook.

“I can only worry about the things I have control over,” Mills said before a 6-4 defeat to the Mets on Friday. “The things we have control over now are how we play the games, winning these games on the field, doing what we can for this organization to make it as strong and as good as we can. If I have any other concerns than that, then I’m taking away from that.”

Mills said he hasn’t seen the need to address that point with the players. McLane and general manager Ed Wade gave Mills his break to manage a major league team.

“I enjoy Drayton,” Mills said. “He has a passion for this ballclub, this organization, this city.”

Catch as catch can

Manager Brad Mills has made no grand announcements, but he seems to have settled on a pattern for catchers J.R. Towles and Humberto Quintero.

Towles’ past four starts have come catching Wandy Rodriguez and Aneury Rodriguez twice apiece. Quintero has been the go-to catcher for Brett Myers, Bud Norris and J.A. Happ.
In the early weeks of the season, a sprained ankle limited Towles’ playing time. Mills said that isn’t the case.

“It was earlier, probably even a week ago,” Mills said. “I think we see some advantages (using Quintero more) experience-wise.

“There’s no doubt J.R. is doing a great job of what we’re asking him to do. He’s fine right now with what we’re asking him to do and improving the way we need him to improve.”

Wait a second

In installing Clint Barmes as the primary shortstop, manager Brad Mills cast a vote in favor of defense.

The tradeoff for making Angel Sanchez a utility infielder is that the No. 2 spot in the batting order has turned into a revolving door. Five players have inhabited the No. 2 spot in the past six games, with Barmes getting a turn Friday and going 0-4 in a 6-4 loss to the Mets.

“There’s not doubt it’s going to be that way until we do find someone,” Mills said. “I did a little tinkering before I settled on Barmes (Friday).

Michaels rejoins team

The calendar says outfielder Jason Michaels spent April 25-May 12 on the disabled list with an injured left shoulder. His internal clock says otherwise.

“When you’re on the DL for 17, 18 days, it feels like forever in the baseball world because you play every day,” Michaels, 35, said. “In football or basketball or hockey, you don’t miss that many games compared to baseball. Being a part of it, that’s what I missed the most. I missed the guys. I missed the team.”